Congress stuns BJD in ULB Vice Chairperson Polls

The Congress Party stunned the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in the Vice Chairperson polls in 48 ULBs in the state, held yesterday. VC Polls in 18 ULBs in Ganjam district could not be held due to Cyclone devastation.

Out of the 46 ULBs (where results declared), Congress had captured only 8 Chairperson posts. However, they increased the Vice Chairperson tally to 12 (gain of 4), while the BJD lost two.

The BJD won in 30, while two VC posts went to the BJP. In two ULBs, the Independents emerged victorious. Polls were cancelled in Jeypore due to the fighting between three BJD councilors. In Athamallick, no nominations were filed.

Cross voting against the BJD, was reported from Keonjhar Municipality and Balasore. In Balasore, it did not affect the winning chances of the ruling party. But, it suffered a shock defeat in Keonjhar, as Congress managed to snatch away 6 BJD votes in its favour.

The BJD won in Talcher, Balasore, Nilagiri, Bhadrak, Boudhgarh, Athagarh, Banki, Choudwar, Kamakhyanagar, Kasinagar, Vyasanagar, Jajpur, Pattamundai, Anandapur, Jatni, Balugaon, Banapur, Khurda, Koraput, Malkangiri, Rairangpur, Nabarangpur, Umerkote, Khandapada, Konark, Nimapada, Puri, Gudari, Gunupur and Rayagada.

The Congress won in Angul, Jaleswar, Soro, Basudevpur, Paralakhemundi, Jagatsinghpur, Joda, Keonjhar, Kotpad, Udala, Nayagarh and Pipili. Dhenkanal and Karanjia went to the BJP, while Independents emerged winner in Bhuban and Barbil.